Musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra have created the “Music Medicine Initiative” series.

The video series of seven to 10 videos features several musicians from the ensemble as they share music with healthcare workers, patients, and community members affected by COVID-19. The project was led by assistant concertmaster Jessica Lee and will be released weekly.

“As the pandemic hit us, I saw the deep stress and pain experienced by frontline workers and those affected by COVID-19,” said Lee in a press release. “There was also an enormous sense of isolation and a hunger for beauty around the world, so as I began this project I focused on the words ‘community’ and ‘connection,’ two things we are all especially longing for right now. This is what led me to film these videos in some of our beloved businesses in the Greater Cleveland community, to bring the joy of these places back into people’s lives while we are less able to visit and enjoy them. Music has the unique power to unite and heal where words cannot, and it is my hope that through these videos, we will lift the spirits of healthcare workers, patients, and our entire community.”

The first here videos will feature music by Debussy, Teleman, and Barber. Baritone Thomas Meglioranza is among the musicians performing in the videos; others musicians involved in the project include Jessica Lee, Yun-Ting Lee (violin); Wesley Collins, principal viola (viola); Dane Johansen (cello); Peter Otto, first associate concertmaster (violin); Jung-Min Amy Lee, associate concertmaster (violin); and Stephen Tavani, assistant concertmaster (violin).

Check out the first video below.